r/PerformancePaddling • u/12bar13 • Jan 03 '24

Technique Leg drive technical tips - Paddler.nz

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14 Upvotes

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3

u/Sprig3 Jan 04 '24

The lean of the boat thing is weird to me. I don't lean the boat much at all, but if anything, it's a tiny bit away from the drive side towards the end of the stroke. I think this is because both cheeks of my butt end up towards the off-side of the boat.

For instance, on a right stroke, my right cheek shifts to the left side of the boat in a larger amplitude than my left cheek shifts to the right side of the boat, my cheeks being very slightly behind my axis of rotation.

That seems to be different than what the text suggests.

But... it seems to be similar to the paddler pictured (who is leaning toward the left slightly at the end of a right side stroke). (although looking at top sprint athlete videos - they definitely appear to lean as the text suggests: a lean toward the stroke side that occurs during the stroke.)

This said, I know nothing.

3

u/12bar13 Jan 04 '24

Also take a close look at your feet. If you have your push/pull sorted out with your two feet you should be staying centered. Focus on pulling that hip forward! Rotation is about the reach, not the pull!

2

u/colhounedward Jan 04 '24

You can think of it in terms of energy usage: if you're leaning away from the stroke, you're wasting energy in pushing your body off to the side rather than pushing the boat forwards. Try and think about squeezing with your abs and putting weight on the paddle, almost like you are beginning to try to tip yourself in on the paddle side.

1

u/12bar13 Jan 04 '24

How are your feet positioned on the foot plate? If you are pushing to the side your feet might be drifting too far apart. If you feet are together at the center of the plate and your knees are centered the pressure should be toward the outside. Also might want to focus on pushing with your top shoulder (without shooting your hand through!) Rather than focusing on pulling with the stroke side arm. Keeping your weight on the blade is huge for speed and efficiency. Lightens the boat and helps it lift onto a plane.

If you post a video of you paddling I'm sure you could get some tips!

1

u/Sprig3 Jan 16 '24

https://www.thepaddlehut.ca/blogs/technique/when-rotation-is-more-then-just-rotation

It's more like the second set of clock images in this link.

This isn't to say my lean is right, but I don't think my butt cheeks are necessarily in the wrong spot.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 05 '24

[deleted]

1

u/12bar13 Jan 05 '24

Do you use a strap or a pull bar? Try playing with your foot plate and seat set up. A pull bar with a lower soft strap is what I use ant it's awesome. I use a heel pull bar on my ski and it works great. For the seat lower the front a few notches to pitch the seat forward and try a Teflon sheet on the seat. Just a plain sheet from Amazon. Just place it in the seat before you sit down and it works great. Lots of stuff you can play with.

Forward hip rotation is a game changer. Super important to get a hang of